Decades of conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) make it difficult to continually pray for peace in a land experiencing horrifying massacres and conflict. In February, hundreds of thousands more people were displaced by violence in North and South Kivu. This week, lift up this struggling nation in prayer.
Sunday 8 June
Nehemie, Tearfund’s Programme Quality Manager in the DRC, says, ‘I am praying and hoping from the depth of my heart that God will reestablish peace in the DRC. I hope all these children, mothers and fathers living in displaced camps can go back home.’ Let us join Nehemie in prayer today.
Monday 9 June
In 2009, Kalongo established Action Entraide, a Tearfund local partner in the DRC. ‘Action Entraide started organising peace dialogues with the Lendu community,’ says Kalongo. ‘Even though one of the community members participated in killing people in my village, now we are friends.’ Pray for the continued success of peacebuilding initiatives.
Tuesday 10 June
Twenty young people from the Ituri region, north-eastern DRC, were chosen to become agents of change and trained through Tearfund’s Community Conflict Transformation Dialogues. Take a moment today to pray that God will protect each of their hearts and raise up more peacebuilders in the DRC, like Kalongo.
Wednesday 11 June
‘Life in this village was hard. We could not go outside. We were afraid of being killed,’ explains Rosaline, who participated in the peacebuilding initiative. ‘Now, we can travel freely up to the village located 25km from here. We are planning to play a football match with the neighbouring community and that was unthinkable before.’ Lord, thank you for change, and may we see more across the country. Amen.
Thursday 12 June
‘Hope is such a powerful thing here,’ explains Poppy, Tearfund Country Director for the DRC. Praise God that through trauma-healing workshops run in collaboration with the Anglican Church, young people’s lives are beginning to change. ‘Young people, who were saying they have no hope are now saying that they look towards the future,’ explains Poppy.
Friday 13 June
Moses received a cash grant from Tearfund to provide for his family’s immediate needs while living in a displacement camp. He spent the money on a sewing machine and is now making clothes to sell in the camp. ‘I want to look at the future, I want to have that hope for my family.’ Today, pray for provision for people like Moses, struggling to provide for their families.
Saturday 14 June
Diane, Tearfund’s Communications Officer for the East and Central Africa region, says, ‘What we do can sometimes feel like a drop in the ocean when we see the scale of need. Please pray for the release of more funding and resources so that we can reach many more people who need help.’ Let us join Diane in prayer.
